Horace Twiss, who was acquainted with the Novellos and often visited them at their house in Oxford Street, near Hyde Park, proclaimed himself a devoted admirer of Mary Sabilla Novello, as the next among women to Mary Wollstonecraft, with whom he was notedly and avowedly "deeply smitten." He used to knock at the door, and, when it was opened, inquire whether he could see Mrs. Novello; while she, from the front-parlour — which was dedicated to the children's nursery and play-room — hearing his voice, and being generally too busy of a morning with them to receive visitors, would put her head forth from amid her young flock, and call out to him, with a nod and a smile, "I'm not at home to-day, Mr. Twiss!" Upon which he would raise his hat and retire, declaring that she was more than ever adorable.